Floor and Mat Surface Cleaning Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A mat surface cleaner of the walk-behind type, comprising a wheeled housing having a forward roller brush cleaner, a rear squeegee device, user hand controls and an internal cavity for housing the device power means and cleaning elements. The cavity is accessed through flip-open hatch along the housing upper surface, which provides access to a cleaning solution reservoir attached thereto. Along the base of the cavity is a gel cell battery, electric motor and a pulley system for powering the device. Rear hand controls provide the user control over the cleaning spray application and vehicle speed, while a rearward A/C power plug is provided for recharging the battery. The forward roller brush is adapted to provide soft-contact bristles for the particular goal of sanitizing and cleaning athletic and wrestling mats after their use without causing damage thereto, while the lightweight design of the device allows improved handling and everyday use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/423,868 filed on Dec. 16, 2010, entitled “Hamboni.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to floor surface and mat cleaning devices.More specifically, the present invention pertains to a powered,walk-behind floor surface cleaner comprising a wheeled housing havingdeployable cleaning solution, scrub brushes and rearward drying meansthat is adapted to clean and sanitize a surface by traveling thereover.The present cleaning device is specifically adapted to clean wrestlingmats and other athletic mats, wherein the device sanitizes the mat afterits use and eliminates infectious organisms and parasites.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Athletic mats and wrestling mats are support surfaces comprising a thicklayer of rubberized material or cushion material wrapped in an outershell of vinyl or similar material. These devices are useful forprotecting participates from injuries due to contact with a hard groundsurface, providing cushioning and reduced friction during contact withthe mat surface. These surfaces quickly become dirty and contaminatedafter each use, as they are placed on a floor surface and come intocontact with the athletes engaging in activity thereon. In wresting, inparticular, it is common for wrestling mats to transfer ringworm, fungusor other parasites between participants during athletic activities.Several different users contact the same mat surface, and thereforeallowing for transfer of such organisms therebetween.

Generally, these mats are rolled up or folded into a stowed state aftereach use. It is common to sanitize these items before stowage, whichincludes spray pumps of disinfectant and hand wiping the surface of eachmat. This can be particularly time consuming when utilizing a pluralityof mats, or for those gyms and athletic events wherein a large surfacearea mat is utilized (i.e. a wrestling mat or continuous gym rubbermat). Sanitization in these situations can be difficult and cumbersome,and sometimes overlooked in favor of expediency. An improved method anddevice for cleaning such mats is clearly needed.

Floor scrubbers and surface cleaners are well known articles in the art.These devices have similar design elements for the purposes of cleaninglarge floor surface areas using a scrubber assembly, cleaning solutionand recollecting the solution after application. These devices aregenerally very large, and in some cases even ride-on devices, whereintheir use with mats is limited. These devices are not adapted to cleansmaller mats, and further are not adapted to work well with the softervinyl coverings of some mats, which may tear or becoming worn if cleanedusing a larger floor scrubber assembly. The present invention provides asmaller, lightweight and simply constructed assembly for the specificpurpose of cleaning athletic and floor mats. In particular, the deviceis suited for distributing a film of cleaning solution and disinfectant,lightly scrub the solution and squeegee excess solution from the mat ina single pass. The device can easily be lifted onto a mat, as theelements of the device are lightweight and heavy solution recoverydevices are not included. The device is adapted for use after eachpractice session or athletic event, wherein a plurality of large surfacemat is required to be disinfected and cleaned.

Several devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate tofloor scrubbers and surface cleaners. These devices are generally toolarge or cumbersome to accomplish the given task of the presentinvention. Most disclose a larger floor scrubbing assembly having alarge reservoir and recollection system, along with elements of varyinglevels of sophistication. Their common drawback is their sheer size andlack of utility with regard to floor mats and athletic mats, which aremore susceptible to damage than a tile or linoleum floor surface. Thepresent invention utilizes a lightweight assembly and a roller brushadapted to clean floor mat surface without causing damage thereto, whileremoving dirt, sweat and contaminants thereon.

One such device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,838 to Wood, which discloses anautomatic floor scrubber device having its frame divided into a truckportion and an upper chassis assembly removable therefrom. The scrubberframe includes wheels, the drive motor for powering the brush scrubsystem and a rearward squeegee system. Controls, cleaning solution tanksand batteries to power the motor are mounted to the removable chassis.Connection between the chassis and truck is accomplish via a pluralityof elastomeric isolator mounts that secure the two together, allowingelectrical and mechanical connections to be created between theotherwise separated systems. The Wood device discloses a novelconstruction for a floor scrubber, wherein the structure is separablefor maintenance and repair purposes. Its construction differs from thepresent invention, while employs a unitary body and hingeable access tothe body interior for loading cleaning solution and maintaining thedevice.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,251 to Whitaker discloses aself-propelled floor cleaning machine or scrubber that comprises aone-piece molded main body, the body incorporating a cleaning solutiontank. A recovery tank is adapted to be inserted into the main bodycentral cavity, which houses the cleaning solution that is distributedto the floor brushes and suctioned back into the tank by a rearwardsqueegee assembly. Mechanical and plumbing connections between the mainbody and recovery tank allow the two to function as a single unit,wherein the recovery tank can then be removed to discard the used andcirculated cleaning solution and contaminants from the floor cleaningoperation. The Whitaker device, similar to the Wood device, comprises aunique construction that allows separation of the device into twoprimary components. In the case of Whitaker, the recovery tank housing acleaning solution is removable. The present invention provides ahingedly attached door to its main housing, wherein cleaning solutionand water tanks are removably secured.

Another such device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,422 to Geyer, which disclosesa small floor scrubbing machine comprising a centrally located batterypack, recovery tank for scrubbing solution and a vacuum fan to draw airand used solution into the recovery tank. Air is similar exhausted intothe atmosphere from another chamber of the recovery tank. Thearrangement of the Geyer device provides improved foam control and aconsistent center of gravity as the cleaning solution empties from therecovery tank and is replenished by the vacuum fan. The Geyer device isspecifically interested in a multi-chambered recovery tank and system tomaintain consistent center of gravity during operation. Its elementsdiffer from the present invention, wherein no recovery system isdisclosed and a lightweight, water and cleaning solution scrubber isprovided for use on wrestling and athletic mats.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,842,940 to Christopher describes a floor scrubber havinga forward cylindrical brush with adjustable down pressure on a workingsurface. Cleaning solution is uniformly sprayed onto the cleaning brushand is then recovered by a collection hopper. A floor engaging flap anda suction recovery device allow for the used cleaning solution to beabsorbed into the machine, leaving the working surface free of standingwater. The Christopher device employs a variable pressure scrubber,which varies the intensity and friction against the working surface. Itsconstruction is more elaborate than required by the present invention,which utilizes a soft brush specifically for the purpose of removingdirt and contaminants from a floor mat or gym mat, and further spreadinga disinfecting solution to remove germs and parasites therefrom.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,873 to Pacchini describes a floor cleaningmachine having a body and body cover assembly that is hollow and acts asa recovery reservoir for cleaning solution. A battery and drive motorpower a transaxle drive and motor differential, which engages the axlescoupled to the wheels. A linkage along the forward portion of the deviceallows for different floor scrubber modes, wherein the height anddownward pressure of the scrubbers can be adjusted for different floorsurfaces. The Pacchini devices disclose a motorized floor cleaningdevice with elaborate drive means and a variable height cleaning head.The present invention is belt driven using a first pulley for the wheelsand a second, parallel pulley for driving the rotational scrubber brush.Its construction is markedly simpler, and is ideal for gymnasiums havingathletic and wrestling mats that need attention after each use orpractice session. The device is lightweight and simple to use in theseeveryday situations.

The prior art devices provide floor cleaners and scrubbers with varyinglevels of complexity for the purposes of cleaning a floor surface. Mostare provided for cleaning hallways and other hard surfaces, while othersemploy complex elements to facilitate the cleaning and reclamation ofcleaning fluid during the process. The present invention is particularlydesigned for cleaning and sanitizing gym mats, athletic mats andwrestling mats after each use. The design is simple, lightweight andeffective for working with mat surfaces. It is therefore submitted, inlight of the prior art and the foregoing disclose, that the presentinvention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art.Consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for animprovement to existing floor mat cleaning devices. In this regard theinstant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofwalk-behind surface cleaners now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a new walk-behind surface cleaner wherein the samecan be utilized for providing convenience for the user when cleaning andsanitizing athletic and wrestling mats between uses.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved walk-behind surface cleaner device that has all of theadvantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaningdevice having lightweight and simple construction for use specificallywith athletic and wrestling mats.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a surface cleaningdevice having an internal cleaning solution, power means and spray meansfor communicating the solution, followed by a squeegee means for dryingremaining solution on the mat surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a surface cleaningdevice that utilizes a soft cleaning roller that does not damage anathletic mat surface, while removing dirt, debris and contaminantstherefrom.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a surfacecleaning device having motive power and a walk-behind geometry.

A final object of the present invention is to provide a surface cleaningdevice of simple and lightweight construction that is easily assembledand manufactured.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the surface cleaning device, wherein itsinternal components are visualized.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the surface cleaning device handcontrols.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead perspective view of the surface cleaningdevice, wherein its internal components are visualized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the athletic mat cleaner device. For the purposes ofpresenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, thepreferred embodiment will be discussed as used for cleaning andsanitizing athletic and wrestling mat surfaces. The figures are intendedfor representative purposes only and should not be considered to belimiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of the mat surfacecleaning device of the present invention, wherein the sidewall of thedevice is removed for visualization of its internal elements. The devicecomprises a housing 12 having a pair of front and rear wheels 15, ahollow interior volume forming an enclosure for moving components and avolume of cleaning solution, and support for a rotating cleaningassembly along the front of the device. The housing 12 has a back wall,sidewalls and a hingeable lid 22 that allows access to the housinginterior for maintenance and cleaning solution replenishment. Along theback of the housing are user hand controls within a handle 13 for whichthe user can direct the motion of the device during operation, while asqueegee element 13 is provided at the user's feet to absorb anyresidual cleaning solution on the mat surface. The device is drivenforward by internal motive power in a walk-behind configuration, whilethe user guides the direction of the device along a mat surface.

A cleaning roller 20 and spray nozzle means 21 are positioned along thefront of the housing to dispense a mist of cleaning solution onto a matsurface therebelow while the roller 20 lathers the solution and disruptsand removes dirt therefrom. The nozzles 21 provide a means to distributethe solution along the entire length of the roller 20, directed in frontof the roller. The solution is housed within a reservoir 11 attached tothe hingedly attached lid 22, while a hose at the base of the reservoirand an inline pump distribute solution to the spray nozzles 21 duringoperation. The hose is adapted to form a flexible connection between thereservoir 11 and the spray nozzles 21, allowing the lid to open freelyand the reservoir to move therewith throughout its travel. Once opened,the cleaning solution fill level can be checked and replenished ifnecessary. Similarly, if internal maintenance is required, the lid canbe rotated 31 into an open position for access to components within thehousing 12.

The device is powered by an electric motor 28 and onboard battery supply16. The motor 28 spins a shaft connected to a double pulley device 19,further connected to a pair of belts that travel fore and aft throughthe device interior. The first belt drives a rear wheel 15, while thesecond belt spins the cleaning roller 20 at a higher rotationalvelocity. The double pulley provides two distinct speeds for the rearwheel and the roller brush, as the brush is required to spin at a fasterrate than the rear wheel in order to achieve an effective means of dirtand contaminant removal from a mat surface. The speed of the motor 28 iscontrolled by the user through hand controls in the handle, wherein thespeed can be varied depending on input to allow the device to travel ata faster or slow speed, and correspondingly a greater or slower rollerbrush rotational velocity. The faster the linear travel of the device,the faster the roller brush needs to spin in order to adequately cleanthe given floor mat surface area being rushed thereunder.

The battery comprises a glass mat, lithium ion or similarly lightweightbattery supply so as to reduce overall vehicle weight, while an NC powerplug 14 allows the battery to be charged after extended usage. It may bedesired to provide a low battery indicating lamp for the user to monitorthe power level within the battery during usage, so as not to drain thebattery and disrupt operations. Overall, the device utilized lightweightmaterials and components to allow the cleaning to operate on athleticmats and wrestling mats without damaging the mats or causing damagethereto. In place of a cleaning solution recirculation or recoverysystem, a squeegee along the rear of the device absorbs or wipesresidual solution from the mat surface. This element may comprise of arubber squeegee or alternatively a cloth or microfiber towel for wipingthe mat after being wetted. In this way, the device employs a passivedrying capability that reduces its overall mass and allows improvedfunctionality, wherein larger and heavier device may be ill-suited.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a view of the user handle 13 andassociated hand control elements of the present invention. The handle 13attaches to the rear of the device housing and provides a means for theuser to control the direction and speed of the device during operation.Two adjuster handles are provided along the handle: a vehicle speedcontroller 23 for the motor input on the rear wheel (wheel speed) and aspray controller 24 for the forward nozzles. The controllers are movablehandles that translate a physical input to a change in electrical outputsent to the electric motor and spray pump. Preferably, the controllerhandles actuate a linear potentiometer 25 or similar electro/mechanicaldevice that can be utilized to control both the speed of the electricmotor and the cleaning solution spray pump while the device is beingutilized to clean a floor mat. Input travels from first and second wire26, 27 to the motor controller and spray pump, respectively. The vehiclespeed can be increased or decreased, as well as the volume and intensityof fluid spray from the nozzles can be adjusted. This allows certainareas of a floor mat to be intensely or lightly cleaned as necessary,and the speed of the operation to be controlled by the user.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an overhead perspective view ofthe present floor mat cleaner. The near-side surface of the devicehousing is hidden to visualize the internal components that comprise thecleaning elements and means for operating the device. Within theinternal volume of the device housing is a cleaning solution reservoir11, a fluid pump 29 for communicating solution therefrom and a pluralityof spray nozzles 21 that project a mist of solution onto a mat surfacein front of the rotating roller brush 20 and the direction of travel ofthe housing. The roller brush 20 is a soft bristle cleaning implementthat is particularly suited for athletic mats and softer materials, asopposed to hardwood, tile and laminate floor cleaning implements. Therotation of the brush 20 is controlled by a belt 18 that attaches to anelectric motor 28 by way of a double-pulley 19. A second belt 17 extendsfrom the double-pulley 19 to drive the rear wheel 15 of the device,allowing forward or rearward travel of the housing. Power for theelectric motor 28 is provided by a battery power supply 16, which iswired to the electric motor and controlled by a motor controller and theuser input 23. Wires 26, 27 route from the handle 13 to the motor 28 andthe pump 29 within the housing, while a majority of the internal cavityis left unoccupied. The goal is to provide a lightweight device that iseasily maneuvered onto and over a floor mat surface, wherein a largerdevice would not be ideally suited. A rear A/C plug is provided forcharging the battery pack 16, allowing the device to operate without acord for extended periods of time, whereafter the power supply can berecharged using a wall outlet and extension cord.

The lid of the device allows access within the internal cavity of thehousing, which allows the reservoir 11 to be replenished and theinternal components to be maintained as necessary. It is preferred thatthe roller brush 20 be mounted on the exterior of the housing, whereinits bristles cannot spray solution, dirt and floor contaminants into theinterior of the housing. This ensures components within the housing arenot damaged or sprayed with solution, which could otherwise affect theiroperation and longevity. A shroud that is built into the housing aroundthe roller brush 20 deflects any ejected dirt or solution therefrom.Solution is sprayed onto the mat surface directly in front of the rollerbrush 20, which is then brushed over using the rotating motion of thebrush, liberating dirt and grime, and primarily sanitizing the matbetween uses. Once passed over, the sprayed area is whipped dry usingthe squeegee 13 mounted on the rear of the housing. The squeegee 13 ispreferably a replaceable cloth or microfiber material that absorbsmoisture as is passes over the thin film cleaning solution sprayed ontothe mat surface. It is not desired to recollection the cleaning solutionor to provide a device that sprays large volumes of fluid onto the matsurface. Rather, the nozzles are adapted to spray a mist of sanitizingsolution that is brushed into the mat surface, while the squeegee wipesthe moistened area dry. The mat will remain moist for a short period oftime prior to completely drying, but no pooling of solution will occurand only a thin film that rapidly evaporates will be left behind thesqueegee.

The primary function of the present invention is to provide a means tosanitize athletic floor mats and wrestling mats, which generally developdirt, sweat and fungus after prolonged use. The cleaning solution isideally one that can destroy any germs or fungus from the mat surface,which would otherwise transfer between users of the mat. The solution isapplied in a thin film by the nozzles and whipped dry using the rearwardsqueegee assembly. The elements of the device, including the housing,battery, electric motor and roller brush are adapted to be lightweightand specifically designed for mat surfaces, including those with foaminteriors or those that are of uniform material. Using a lightweightassembly allows the device to be lifted or rolled onto the mat andoperate thereon without damaging the mat surface. Additionally, theroller brush bristles are adapted to be a soft material to preventtearing or removal of material from the mat surface. The primaryapplication is to treat the mat surface with an antiseptic or sanitarysolution to remove sweat, germs and fungus, while allowing the user toeasily manipulate and rapidly deploy the device during athletic eventsor between sessions requiring an athletic mat.

With regard to the present disclosure, it is therefore submitted thatthe instant invention has been shown and described in what is consideredto be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized,however, that departures may be made within the scope of the inventionand that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in theart. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realizedthat the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of theinvention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readilyapparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalentrelationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1) A floor mat cleaning assembly, a housing having an internal cavity,four wheels, a cleaning solution reservoir, a user handle and a cleaningmeans; said cleaning means comprising a roller cleaning brush, aplurality of cleaning solution spray nozzles and a spray pump fordistributing solution from said reservoir to said nozzles and onto atarget surface; an electric motor, powered by a battery power supplywithin said housing; said electric motor providing motive input for saidrotating roller cleaning brush and one of said wheels through a doublepulley and belt assembly; said handle having user controls to controlsaid pump flow rate and sad electric motor speed; a rearward squeegeeassembly along said housing; said housing having a hingeable lid foraccess to said internal cavity. 2) The device of claim 1, furthercomprising an NC wall outlet plug for recharging said battery powersupply. 3) The device of claim 1, wherein said roller cleaning brushcomprises soft bristles that are adapted for use with floor matsurfaces. 4) The device of claim 1, wherein said user controls furthercomprise movable handles that connect to potentiometers, saidpotentiometers providing input to an electric motor controller and saidspray pump. 5) The device of claim 1, wherein aid rearward squeegee is aremovable absorbent cloth for drying said surface.